Lamb prices continued to recover in 2014. The monthly average price graphs have been updated for lambs <79pounds, 80-94pounds, 95-109pounds and 110+ pounds. As shown in Figure 1, the monthly average price for 80-94 lb lambs has made a complete recovery after the low prices seen in the last half of 2012 and 2013. Prices in winter 2014 followed a similar path to price received in 2010 with the summer prices only falling to those levels seen in 2011. A similar trend can be seen in each of the price graphs in Figures 1 – 4.
Figure 1 5 Year Average Market Price by Month 80-94 lb Lambs
The monthly price graphs are shown for the 95-109 pound lambs in Figure 2. Price was better than the 2010 price in late winter and spring and is currently following the prices received in 2011.
Figure 2 5 Year Average Market Price by Month 95-109 lb Lambs
The monthly price graphs are shown for the 110+ pound lambs in Figure 3. The price was significantly higher in early 2014 than in 2013. Since April, the price has been a bit volatile but remained well above 2013 levels.
Figure 3 5 Year Average Market Price by Month 110+ lb Lambs
As seen in Figure 4, the price of lambs weighing 79 pound or less recovered in 2014 with a similar pattern to the 80-94 pound lambs and the 95-109 pound lambs with current prices following 2011 prices.
Figure 4 5 Year Average Market Price by Month Lambs 79 lbs or Less
Note: September on the graph only contains data up until September 16, 2014.
Source: The prices on these graphs are weighted average prices for Ontario live market auctions as reported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Red Meat Information on September 16, 2014.
